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1268
Description: Quasi-arched shape with forward-facing 'wings', which splay outwards towards the base; the 'wings' curve to follow the shape of the main panel but curl outwards at the top; central panel with stylised image of a tree; top centre, three ostrich feathers gathered at their quills, on either side of which, on the curled upper parts of the 'wings', are a mirrored feature of uncertain type.
Notes: This small, but unusual, casting was probably cast in an open box mould. Only a very small number of such castings are known. Depth 210mm. The fireback has been repaired in the main panel and attached to a later grate.
- Decoration tags:
- free-standing (shape)
- none (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- plants
- objects
Manufactured: in the late-17th to early-18th century in England.
Current location: Bramshill House, Bramshill, Hampshire, England.
- Attached to series:
- Free-standing firebacks
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896
Description: Arched rectangular shape; no edging; three 'daisy' flowerheads, top centre and in each shoulder; central plume of six ostrich feathers issuing from what appears to be a wreath surmounting a tree stump.
Notes: Excavated from the ruins of Cloughoughter Castle in County Cavan, which had been rendered uninhabitable in a siege of 1653. Until the early 16th century the castle had been in the hands of the O'Reilly family. On some versions of the O'Reilly arms the crest is shown as a plume of ostrich feathers, although this may be a misrepresentation of the usual crest of a tree with a snake entwined about it.
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with round arch (shape)
- none (edging)
- carved stamps
- heraldic
- plants
Manufactured: in the early-17th century in Ireland.
Current location: Parke's Castle, Fivemile Bourne, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.
(part of the Heritage Ireland museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Miscellaneous stamp firebacks
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1215
Description: Rectangular shape; no edging; shield of the 2nd Duke of Montagu surrounded by the Garter and surmounted by a ducal coronet.
Notes: One of four firebacks at Boughton House, Northamptonshire, cast with the ducal arms and the Garter having a diameter of 31cm. Fifty firebacks were cast for the house between 1743 and 1748 by Richard Ford, probably at Nibthwaite Furnace, but also possibly at Newland furnace, both then in north Lancashire. The arms are blazoned: Quarterly, 1st & 4th: Argent, three fusils conjoined in fess gules, a bordure sable (Montagu); 2nd & 3rd: Or an eagle displayed vert beaked and membered gules (Monthermer); on an escutcheon of pretence, Sable a lion rampant Argent a canton Argent charged with a cross Gules (Churchill); John, 2nd Duke of Montagu married Mary, daughter and co-heiress of John, 1st Duke of Marlborough.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: HONI.SOIT.QUI.MAL.Y.PENSE
Arms: Montagu quartering Monthermer with Churchill in an escutcheon of pretence - John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu, KG
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- none (edging)
- carved pattern panels
- heraldic
- armorial
- text
Manufactured: in the mid-18th century probably at Newland Furnace in the Furness area of England.
Current location: Boughton House, Geddington, Northamptonshire, England.
- Attached to series:
- Montagu arms series
- Personal armorial firebacks
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378
Description: Fragment (left end only); prob. rectangular; twisted rope edging; slightly angled stamp formed of the end of a firedog with semi-circular feet, and shields at the base and top of the pilaster; V-shaped arrangement of a length of twisted rope stamped twice, the point touching the left edge of the plate and one end touching the top.
Notes: Likely to have been a triple arrangement of firedog impressions.
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- simple stamps
- apotropaic
- objects
Manufactured: in the mid- to late-16th century in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: LH000.911 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Firedog stamp firebacks
- Rope design firebacks
- Metalware stamp firebacks
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668
Description: Arched rectangular shape with symmetrical floral scrolls on top; three horizontal plank lines; ovolo moulding all round edge of main panel; central figure of a bearded man wearing knee-length coat, belted at waist, and holding a sledge hammer in his right hand, his left arm akimbo; various ‘tools’ of his trade arranged about him; (clockwise from top left) a circular cartouche with a central bead; the date split on either side of his head; a floral console supporting a shelf bearing a flagon, a tankard and a goblet; a circular cartouche with a central bead, a mirrored image of the one in the top left corner; from the top of the cartouche a dog leaping up at its master; between the man’s legs a long-handled ladle, a weight and a cooking pot; a ringer, used to pull slag off molten iron; part of the elevation of a blast furnace, with wooden framework, casting house, and flames issuing from the top; an ore basket, wheelbarrow and a charcoal clamp.
Notes: A pastiche of the 1636 original Lenard fireback (no. 429), now often mistaken for it; the inscription is missing, as are the fireback and the shield each being replaced by a form of cartouche; the figure of the man is more naturalistically modelled, yet wearing similar clothes; his feet face outwards.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: 1639
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with round arch (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- text
- humans
- objects
Manufactured: in the 18th century possibly in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Rottingdean Grange, Rottingdean, East Sussex, England.
(part of the Brighton Museum museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Miscellaneous pattern firebacks